The Emerging Researchers Programme
The Emerging Researchers Programme (ERP) is an intensive course in critical, ethical and collaborative theory, methodology and practise, which is divided into two parts.
The Programme is designed for students with a strong interest in social justice issues (particularly those directly posed or exacerbated by climate change), critical theory, and who intend to continue to postgraduate education and/or enter into research/policy-oriented careers after graduation.
Up to four spaces will be available for the 2023 cohort. The Programme is open to students at the University of St Andrews in the 3rd year.
Apply NOW! - Deadline: 23.59pm, Nov. 27th
Part 1: Critical Theory, Methodology, and Practice Course
The Critical Theory, Methodology, and Practice Course extends over the second semester of 3rd year, on top of the student’s chosen modules. The courses consists of eight small and intensive tutorials with TGP-affiliated staff and other academics across the spectrum of social sciences at the University of St Andrews, each session lasting 1.5 hours long.
Drawing from both non-Western and Western methodological frames, and with a focus upon ‘decolonising knowledge’, the workshop will provide students with a grounding in critical, participatory and anti-oppressive research methodologies that question and politicize research processes such as ‘fieldwork’ and ‘data analysis’, foreground the subjectivity of the researcher as a salient factor in research design, and engage in a progressive struggle to advance social justice aims. Core texts referenced throughout the course include bell hooks ‘Teaching to Transgress’ and Linda Tuhiwai Smith ‘Decolonising Methodologies.
At the end of the workshop series, students will prepare a literature review to apply some of the themes they’ve learned to their own provisional research project idea.
Part 2: Research Project
During the first semester of 4th year, ER’s will undertake a research project on a topic of their choice that falls under TGP’s remit of ‘Education for Climate Justice’. ER’s will be expected to tailor the language of this project for a non-academic audience. Projects will be supervised by TGP staff. At the end of the semester, the research will be adapted to create a policy resource. This will be accompanied by a presentation to staff and postgraduates within the School of IR.
Student Testimonials
Emerging Researchers Network
Pia Tiwari
Pia is studying International Relations and Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews. She is interested in critical and Indigenous research methodologies and developing post-colonial critiques of climate research.
Marcelina Lekawska
Marcelina is studying Biology and Sustainable Development at the University of St Andrews. She is interested in the role of education in catalysing just climate action and in the intersection of climate change and gender-based violence.
Cate Bone
Cate is studying English at the University of St Andrews. She is interested in exploring current climate policy and how it affects the working class in the UK.
Yasemin Cag
Yasemin is studying International Relations at the University of St Andrews. She is interested in learning about Indigenous political thought and how its implementation could help us solve the climate crisis.
Akshika Kandage
Akshika is a 3rd year student studying International Relations and Philosophy at the University of St Andrews. As an Emerging Researcher she is particularly interested in navigating effective measures and policies associated with alleviating environmental and social injustices. She hopes to research and introduce guidelines and a framework to assess the efficacy of such policies and legislation in both low-income and high-income regions.
Keira Logan
Keira is a 3rd year undergraduate student from Texas studying International Relations and Arabic at the University of St Andrews. I am very excited about expanding She is excited to expand her knowledge of Critical Theory, as she believes this school of thought holds the key to understanding the nuances and particularities of global events. She looks forward to applying what she learns to her research project investigating the differential effects of climate change on LGBT+ communities.
Jenny Park
Jenny is a 3rd year Geography student at the University of St Andrews who hails from Edinburgh. She is especially interested in the rights and wellbeing of women and LGBT+ individuals within indigenous communities and their disproportionate risk to climate change. She is excited to critically explore western research methodology and to learn about ethical and collaborative research methodologies.
Hannah Weir
Hannah is a 3rd year undergraduate student studying Social Anthropology and International Relations at The University of St Andrews. As an Emerging Researcher she is interested in exploring the didactic role of storytelling in school curricula and as is keen to support further developments of TGP’s project ‘Breaking the 4th Wall of Climate Migration’.
Kristopher Leask
Kristopher graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2021 with a degree in International Relations.
Mathilde Roze
Mathilde graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2021 with a degree in Sustainable Development.
Morgan Young
Morgan graduated from the University of St Andres in 2021 with a degree in International Relations.
Jessica Leech
Jessica took over the ERP coordinator position for the first half of 2019 when Jamie was studying abroad. Jess continues to be involved with TGP as part of the research team for Climate of Violence.
Jamie Hinch
Jamie joined TGP in 2018 while working with Ali Watson as a Laidlaw scholar at the University of St Andrews. Having graduated with a joint honours degree in Social Anthropology and International Relations in 2020, Jamie will begin a research project in September 2020, which uses digital storytelling to document the experiences of island communities facing climate change in the North Sea. Jamie’s end goal is to create an open access online story-bank of community narratives to elevate frontline voices in global climate conversations.
Laoise Rogers
Laoise is a fourth-year undergraduate International Relations student at the University of St Andrew’s and joined TGP in 2020 as Emerging Researchers Programme coordinator. In the summer of 2020, Laoise conducted research as a Laidlaw scholar, under the supervision of Ali Watson. It discussed how non-profit NGO’s, whose work focuses on climate adaptation, work ethically with local communities in the face of climate change and other contextual challenges in Guatemala. Laoise’s other interests include refugee and forced migration studies, human rights and climate change policy.
